HUBBARD Delays in finding contractor push back project

Mayor George Praznik says he had hoped the Myron Street waterline project would have been under way by now.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- A $420,000 waterline replacement project has been stalled because of delays in finding the best contractor at the cheapest price, officials say.
The project calls for installing a 12-inch line along Myron Street, between North Main Street and Caroline Avenue.
City officials say the lines need to be replaced because they are constantly breaking because they are old and run under the middle rather than along the side of the road.
The city will use $280,000 in state Issue 2 funds to pay for the project, along with $140,000 in city funds.
"It's kind of been a mess of a problem on this project," city auditor Michael Villano said, noting that the project should have been under way already.
Mayor George Praznik said he also had hoped construction would have started by now.
The situation: Environmental Design Group Inc. of Akron was hired by the city to design and monitor the project along with recommending a contractor based on bidding, along with other duties, for a fee of $56,000.
After 15 companies bid last December, Villano said, all bids were rejected.
City Law Director Gary Gilmartin said EDG did not pre-qualify the bidders, that is, seek references to determine if companies were qualified to do the work.
The work was rebid, and, on Feb. 27, the city received nine bids for the work.
Rhino Excavating of Niles was the apparent low bidder at $347,650 for the installation of plastic pipe, which the city doesn't want, and Scaraba Excavating Inc. of Brookfield was the apparent low bidder for two alternatives: two different types of iron pipe at $382,020 and $364,887, respectively.
In a letter from EDA to Praznik, EDA questions the qualifications of Rhino, pointing out that its a newly formed company founded by former employees of Hardrives Paving and Construction Inc. of Mineral Ridge.
The references it provided, EDA maintains, are for work done by Hardrives rather than Rhino.
Disputes rejection: Atty. Scott R. Cochran of Youngstown, who represents Rhino, pointed out to the city that one of Rhino's principles, Robert Tabachino, was Hardrives' former vice president and project manager and has "extensive experience and is more than qualified for this job."
Cochran admits that while Rhino has no reference of its own, it's impossible for a newly formed company to have them.
EDA has recommended that JCM Contracting of New Springfield be awarded the contract if plastic pipe is used. JCM's bid of $385,387 was the third highest base bid. The second lowest bid, $348,967 by Siegel Excavating of Edinburg, Pa., was rejected, EDA said, because it provided only one of three required references.
If iron pipe is used, EDA recommended JCM Contracting, the second lowest bidder, be awarded the contract because Scaraba Excavating, the lowest bidder, does not have sufficient references.
If another type of iron pipe is used, EDA recommends Marucci & amp; Gaffney of Bazetta Township be awarded the contract with a bid of $386,177. Marucci & amp; Gaffney is the fourth highest bidder.
EDA said the lower bidders for the second type of iron pipe should be rejected, Scaraba Excavating and JCM because they provided no references, and Siegel Excavating, which provided only one reference when three were called for.
City council will make the ultimate decision as to which company will do the work.